It looks like a small, gentler version of the herring gull, with greenish legs and a yellow bill. Despite its name, it is not at all common in some inland areas, though often abundant on the coast and in some eastern counties. They are now seen more often in towns and on housing estates in winter.
Key ID Features
Similar to Herring Gull, being pale grey backed, white necked and headed with white-spotted black wing tips, but the green legs (yellower in winter), dark eye and lack of red spot on bill help to separate them.
Winter adults have a dull yellow-green bill with a black subterminal band, the grey back fades to produce a bold white crescent above the black wing tips and the head has mottled grey-brown markings.
In flight the large white spot on small black wing tips can be seen on the pale grey upper wings with a white trailing edge.
Juveniles are brown winged, fading to buff, with a grey back, a black band on the white tail and a greyish, black tipped bill.
Overview
Scientific name: Larus canus
Family: Gulls (Laridae)
Where to see them:
In summer look along coasts and inland marshes and lakes of Scotland, N Ireland and N England. Elsewhere in England and Wales seen in winter on farmland, near lakes and marshes and on the coast.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Worms, insects, fish, carrion and rubbish.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
